Sport

Ardscoil give Limerick hurling a timely boost

Harty Cup Final - Árd Scoil Rís 3-15 Thurles CBS 0-14: LIMERICK HURLING received a badly needed shot in the arm when Ardscoil…

Fri Mar 12 2010 - 00:00

Harty Cup Final - Árd Scoil Rís 3-15 Thurles CBS 0-14:LIMERICK HURLING received a badly needed shot in the arm when Ardscoil Rís captured the county's first Dr Harty Cup since 1993 yesterday at McDonagh Park, Nenagh.

At a time when the future of the Limerick senior hurling team remains uncertain, Ardscoil Rís provided real hope for the future with a comprehensive 10-point success against last year’s winners.

In the process, Ardscoil Rís bridged a 17-year gap back to the last time a Limerick side won the competition, namely Limerick CBS of Sexton Street.

After two epic encounters between the teams, the greater physicality of the Ardscoil Rís team finally proved decisive.

READ MORE

They are also blessed with some magnificent young hurlers and already, Declan Hannon and Shane Dowling appear to be stars in the making for Limerick.

Wing forwards Mark Ryan and Brendan O’Connor chipped in with significant scoring contributions, landing 1-1 and 1-2 respectively, but all over the pitch Ardscoil Rís had the measure of their Thurles counterparts.

Nine different players got on the scoresheet, compared to six from Thurles, whose star players, Denis Maher and Michael O’Brien, showed the effects of the injuries which have affected them over the three games.

The return of Aidan McCormack from suspension did have a positive impact for Thurles as he scored three points, while Ardscoil Rís shrugged off the impact of Cathal McInerney’s ban with a powerful display.

An early goal from Niall Kennedy set them on their way, but it was a fortuitous effort as Thurles full back Cathal Carroll appeared to let the sliotar drop from his grasp and into the net.

Now 1-1 to 0-1 ahead, Ardscoil Rís led from then until the finish and O’Connor’s goal opened up a nine-point lead, 2-7 to 0-4, after 24 minutes.

Four unanswered points brought Thurles back to within touching distance at the break, trailing by 0-8 to 2-7, before the All-Ireland champions emerged for the second half with a breeze advantage.

In front of 1,733 paying adults, with under-16s admitted free, Thurles were just three points behind nine minutes after the restart, but Ardscoil Rís kicked on again and Ryan’s 42nd-minute goal killed the tie.

Thurles CBS must now regroup quickly for an All-Ireland quarter-final meeting with Leinster runners-up Kilkenny CBS, a fixture scheduled for next Monday.

ARDSCOIL RÍS:PJ Hall; M Carmody, E McCarthy, A Dempsey; J Shanahan (0-2), S Dowling (0-1), M Moroney; S O'Brien, N Kennedy (1-0); M Ryan (1-1), D Hannon (0-3, frees), B O'Connor (1-2); J Fitzgibbon (0-3, two frees), K Downes (0-2), A Breen (0-1). Subs:C Keogh for Dowling, K Keane for Breen (both 60 mins), D Sheppard for Hall (inj, 60+4).

THURLES CBS:A Stakelum; S Maher, C Carroll, P Looby (0-1); C Barrett, J Meagher, P Dunne; J Bergin, P Ralph (0-3); D Maher (0-1), A McCormack (0-3), M O'Brien (0-5, four frees); K Slattery, D Ferncombe, T Doyle (0-1). Subs:C Hammersley for Bergin (30 mins), C Treacy for Ferncombe (44 mins), D Devane for Hammersley (inj, 60+4).

Referee:D Kirwan (Cork).